Hi all,
There’s some good jumps action to enjoy live on ITV this afternoon. The broadcaster is covering the best of the action from Wetherby and Ascot. At Wetherby It’s Charlie Hall Chase Day. The Charlie Hall Chase (3:35) is the feature race but there’s a good supporting card of races which include the Grade 2 bet365 West Yorkshire Hurdle (3:00). At Ascot, which races over jumps for the first time this season, it’s competitive handicaps that provide the most interest.
Inside today’s preview you’ll find my thoughts on the big race action live on ITV and as ever today’s selections and betting advice can be found at the end of the main piece.
Wetherby
bet365 Charlie Hall Chase (3:35)
Seven were left in the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase (3.35) and they include the front three in the betting. That means Bravemansgame and Ahoy Senor will be clashing for a fourth time. The latter leads two-one up in their meetings so far. I think he can beat his old rival once more and I don’t understand why he isn’t favourite. At 2/1 I’m hovering over a bet but If I can get 5/2, I will press the back button.
The 8/1 available about Eldorado Allen on Wednesday has now gone. I still think he’s got a chance of upsetting the front two and if you fancy him, I wouldn’t put you off. If I can get 13/2, I will back him.
High class chaser/hurdler Sporting John heads to Wetherby for his seasonal return in the Grade 2 bet365 Hurdle (3.00). He faces five rivals, and they include my fancy last year’s winner Indefatigable. The mare had a recent spin on the flat at Pontefract that should have put her post on fitness wise for her bid for back to back win in the race.
Molly Ollys Wishes faces four rivals in the Listed Mares’ Hurdle (2:25). The 8-year-old won the race 12 months ago but faces a serious rival in the Lucy Wadham trained Martello Sky.
Ascot
At Ascot high class but quirky hurdler Goshen faces three rivals on his debut over fences in the Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (1:30).
The next three races on ITV are all competitive handicaps.
Bateaux London Handicap Hurdle (2:05)
Washington did well in novice company last season winning two of his six starts. He ended last season with a solid effort when 2 ¾ length 3rd of 16 to one of today’s rivals Hacker des Places in a handicap at Aintree in April. He get’s 4lb form the winner and there shouldn’t be much between the pair again. Besides Hacker des Places, Paul Nicholls also saddles Magistrato who shaped better than 9 ½ lengths 6th of 12 in juvenile handicap over C&D in March suggests. He ran well for a long way and is likely on competitive mark.
Anyharminasking represents last year’s winner trainer Jonjo O’Neill. The5-year-old’s main claim to form is beating Constitution Hill in a point in the spring of 2021. However, he has improved with each of his five starts over hurdles, and bids for the hat trick after wins at Catterick and Sedgefield. Should do better on his second season hurdling.
Call Of The Wild did well last season winning two 2m novice hurdles. He disappointed over an extended 2m 4f at Cheltenham in April. Likely capable of better in 2m handicaps this season and trainer Alan King won this is 2017 & 2018.
Broomfield Burg is talented enough and weighted to win a handicap hurdle like this. However, the 6-year-old has made a mistake at the last hurdle when holding every chance on his last two starts at Market Rasen & Chepstow. Had the benefit of a recent run and is talented enough to win this if cutting out those silly mistakes.
Galore Desassences improved for the fitting of the cheekpieces last season, winning a Taunton maiden and Wincanton handicap at the end of last year and wasn’t beaten far into third in a Grade 2 at Kempton in February. He’s another who could progress further this season. A lively outsider if ready to roll first time.
Byrne Group Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (2:40)
The have already outlined the claims of Before Midnight and Frero Banbou in Thursday’s preview. However, this is no two horse race.
Gumball looks nicely treated on the best of last season’s form and the 8-year-old had a nice spin on the flat here last month which should put him spot on fitness wise here.
Another well treated horse is last year’s winner Monsieur Lecoq who can race off 2lb lower than 12 months ago. He had a pipe opener over hurdles at Chepstow earlier this month and is one to consider.
Nassalam won three of his five starts over fences last season including the novice chase (2m 3f) on this card on seasonal return. First run since February and has a tough mark to defy but he’s only a 5-year-old and there could be better to come.
Amoola Gold didn’t add to his three chase success last season, but he was first past the post in this last year (subsequently lost the race) and ran Before Midnight to a short head over C&D in November. He’s got a 10lb pull with the latter and is 3lb lower than when coming into last year’s race. His form figures handicap C&D handicaps are 1212 and his form figures when returning from a 165+ days break are 211.
Bateaux London Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (3:15)
Regal Encore won this race in 2020, off 9lb higher on his return to action, and he was third 12 months ago. His record over C&D is 4 wins from 15 runs +45 10 placed 67% (+70.10 each way) despite his great C&D record he’s now a 14-year-old and has to be vulnerable to younger legs.
The three at the front end of the ante post betting earlier in the week Major Dundee, Tea Clipper and Our Power all run and have strong claims. All three can win race off their present marks. However, Major Dundee and Our Power remain unexposed over fences with the latter going very well right handed.
Of the rest. Full Back hails from the Gary Moore yard who is 3 winners from 7 runners +20 with their runners in the race. The 7-year-old won over 3m 3f at Cheltenham in January and ran just as well when runner-up to Yala Enki the following month at Wincanton. Granted he struggled in the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham Festival on final start, but the trainers record means he’s got to be respected on seasonal return, especially if the ground is on the soft side.
Good Boy Bobby looked as good as ever last season winning the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby last December. His form figures when returning from a 90+ day absence are also an excellent 11211. Might be better going the other way but his record fresh means he’s got be seriously considered.
Mister Malarky is a double C&D winner for his previous yard. He hasn’t always been the most reliable in the past but his two efforts for new trainer Richard Bandey last spring were good. He’s gone well fresh in the past and is well handicapped if putting his best foot forward here.
Newmarket
I have looked at one race at Newmarket which isn’t on ITV.
5:08 – The lightly raced Astral Beau has really improved for the fitting of cheekpieces winning over 7f on the July Course and over C&D two starts back. Showed she remains in excellent form when posting a career best effort when 1¾ length 2nd of 19 at York (good to soft) on her hat trick bid 22-days ago. The winner has gone in again since and the front two did pull clear of the rest in that York. Up 2lb but won’t be far away if stall 2 isn’t an inconvenience.
The other one I like is Ataser. A useful handicapper at his best the 4-year-old won over the distance on the July Course in June and bounced back to form from some lesser efforts when a 2 ¼ length 4th of 15 at Newbury 8-days ago. That was a good effort over 6f and the return to 7f is a big plus to his chance. He’s drawn in stall 18 and with the stalls on the stand side he could be handily berthed too.
Betting Advice:
Ascot
2:05 – Broomfield Burg – 1pt win – 11/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and Galore Desassences – 1pt win – 14/1 @ Bet365 & Coral
2:40 – Amoola Gold – 1pt win – 9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
3:15 – Our Power – 1pt win – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and Mister Malarky – 1pt win – 11/1 @ Coral
Newmarket
5:08 – Astral Beau – 1pt win – 13/2 @ Bet365 and Ataser – 1pt win – 12/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook (Not BOG)
There’s some good racing at Carlisle on Sunday so there’s likely to be some selections so watch your inboxes.
Cheers
John